New Delhi: In a major development that has further strained the already delicate relations between India and Canada, Ottawa has taken the unprecedented step of expelling a senior Indian diplomat from its soil. This expulsion comes in the wake of allegations that India may have played a role in the tragic killing of a prominent Khalistani separatist residing in Canada.
The incident has exacerbated the growing tensions between the two nations, which had already been strained after Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau faced a less-than-warm reception during the recent G20 Summit in Delhi.
The controversy centres around the fatal shooting of Khalistani separatist, Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which occurred outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. Nijjar, a Sikh leader and president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, was killed.
However, what has escalated the situation dramatically is Prime Minister Trudeau’s assertion that Canada’s national security apparatus has credible reasons to suspect “agents of the Indian government” may have been involved in Nijjar’s killing. This accusation has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and could have far-reaching implications for the relationship between the two countries.
Sources close to the matter reveal that when Prime Minister Trudeau raised this grave concern with Indian authorities, he received a terse response affirming India’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national interests. This exchange has deepened the diplomatic divide and added more complexity to an already troubled relationship.
The implications of these allegations are profound and could strain bilateral ties even further. As both nations grapple with the fallout from this serious accusation, the diplomatic chill is expected to grow with India contemplating some tough measures to deal with Canada.
“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday in a statement.
“We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil,” the statement added.